Wines a thousand leagues under the Loire | Jean-Claude Bonnaud

In partnership with the Oenologists of France, Loire Valley RegionPreface: The aperitif is served!When we first met, we quickly agreed to create the structure of this book. No hesitation. Right from the start, the Union of Oenologists of the Loire Valley and the magazine Le Vin Ligérion shared the same desire to explore the paths of memory with you, sometimes neglected. It is a testimony, by the way, that oenologists, "scientists from the soil to the glass," are also men and women attached to the soul of their regions, and that journalists also have the concern to highlight the positive aspects of the world around them. We therefore agreed that our intention was not to create just another book about wine, but to suggest a few aperitif keys to delight you at the table set with surprises, favorites, and inevitable detours suggested by curiosity, without any historical pretension since we are not historians. Only the desire to share the immense pleasure of the richness of the Loire region has guided us. Certainly, you may find some subjectivity in our choices. However, we claim it based on the very simple concept of a triptych based on alliances between around sixty controlled designations of origin, certain heritage elements, and famous (or less famous) figures, emphasizing those personalities who have left their mark on the Loire Valley for one reason or another, from Auvergne to the Atlantic Ocean. Yet, the vine remains the cornerstone of this meandering journey. The words express our love for these regions, anchored in a history and landscapes envied by the world, with vineyards serving as living markers of our contemporaneity. Indeed, they continue to rhythmically shape the socioeconomic life of these areas where the Loire is fed by tributaries that have carved their way through this same history, which, contrary to what the well-being here might suggest, has not always been a smooth journey. As for the title of this work: "Wines a Thousand Leagues under the Loire," it resonates as a grateful echo towards that immense author, Jules Verne, whose adventurous spirit has always captivated us, offering us a cultural legacy with global dimensions. So, enjoy your reading!Laurent Polleau, Union of Oenologists of the Loire ValleyJean-Claude Bonnaud, Le Vin Ligérien Magazine